Michigan

Jhonny Peralta makes Tigers history in debut

AP PhotoThe Detroit Tigers' Jhonny Peralta rounds first base after hitting a two-run homer off Boston Red Sox starter Jon Lester in the fifth inning of Friday night's game. Peralta had two home runs in his Tigers debut to lead Detroit to a 6-5 win.

BOSTON -- Jhonny Peralta is the first player in the 110-year history of the Detroit Tigers to hit home runs in his first official two at-bats with the team, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Peralta accomplished the feat with a solo home run in the second inning of Friday's game against the Red Sox and a two-run shot in the fifth. He also had a third-inning walk.

“It was a good day, huh?” Peralta said Saturday morning. “It felt really good for my first game with this team. I want to play for the Detroit Tigers for a long time. It feels really good to be here.”

Detroit has the option to pick up a $7.25 million option on Peralta for 2011 or buy him out at $250.000.

He also can play shortstop when injured third baseman Brandon Inge returns in a few weeks.

Peralta hit both home runs off Boston Red Sox All-Star Jon Lester and had been 2-for-15 without a homer against him.

“It’s not easy to hit him at all,” Peralta said.

He also matched his career high for home runs in one game. Peralta has hit a pair five times, doing so most recently on Sept. 17, 2007, against the Tigers for the Cleveland Indians.